Klarinet Archive - Posting 000171.txt from 2000/02

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Bb Reed - 1/4 inch = Eb Reed
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 12:10:36 -0500

Tony & Shouryu had an interesting exchange:

On Thu, 3 Feb 2000 09:33:48 -0700 (MST), jnohe@-----.edu said:

<<<> On Thu, 3 Feb 2000, Tony Pay wrote:
>
> > Now, *purrrlease* nobody ask me what effect shortening the reed has.
>
> Well...you can use it on your eefer as well as your beefer. ^_^

I don't mind that -- that's an *answer*.

You *might* be able to use it on your afer as well, though it's rare to
possess one. But you can certainly use it on your anal. (Though some
people don't have them either.)>>>

Like many Eb players, I do not use reeds manufactured for that purpose.
Instead, I use a Vandoren V-12 with the butt cut off to make it short enough
to fit on the Eb mouthpiece. Many custom Eb mouthpieces (e.g., Dan
Johnston's and Greg Smith's) are specifically designed to be used this way.

Once in a while, you need a reed that works. When faced with some
short-notice Eb playing (and a dearth of designated Eb reeds that aren't
doing it for me), I've taken a Bb reed out of my in-use Bb holder, snipped
the butt, and played the gig. Using the shortened reed on the Bb was
interesting -- I will second Tony's assertion that shortening the reed
*does* affect its response, about as much as switching ligatures.

If the result was "better," all of my reeds would be stubby. It's just
different, however. To those who pooh-pooh the effect, I'd suggest cutting
a couple and seeing for yourself.

I won't comment on the other various suggestions of where else to use the
reed, or what to use it for.

kjf

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